Hundreds of families are already receiving relief through our partners on the ground in Nepal as we continue to expand our response to the devastated country. Our 767 cargo plane departed Greensboro, North Carolina, Aug. 31 and landed in Kathmandu Sept. 2 with tarps, hygiene kits, blankets, solar lights, and household water filters.
Communities are still reeling in the aftermath of devastating flash flooding that killed more than 1,100 people in Nepal and along the Nepal-Tibet border in late August. Thousands of people remain missing. An untold number of Nepali families are in need.
Samaritan’s Purse has a team of disaster relief specialists on the ground in Nepal working with trusted Christian partners. We have been cooperating with these local churches and groups since the terrible 2015 earthquake and its aftershocks. They are already distributing emergency items including tarps, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and more.
“The devastation in Nepal is unimaginable,” said Franklin Graham. “We’re all heartbroken to see the death toll continue to climb, and many families are still waiting for news of their missing loved ones even as they have been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. It’s important that we work quickly to help ease as much suffering as possible. We want the people of Nepal to know that God loves them, and I ask everyone to join us in continuing to pray for them.”
Help and Encouragement Days After the Flood
Through one of our local Christian partners we have been able to start helping residents as they recover.
As she received shelter materials and hygiene kits from the teams, Maya recounted the tragic loss of nine family members in the flood. Six grandchildren were swept away while at school. Her daughter and two daughters-in-law were carried away with their homes. The flood also destroyed their house, farmland, belongings, and primary source of livelihood. Her husband, one daughter, and one grandchild are the only family members to survive.
Tek, 48, was at home with his wife. She was swept away as they escaped the rising water, and both sustained injuries as he risked his own life to rescue her. The flood destroyed their home and land, leaving the couple with almost nothing. Through our partner, they were provided essential relief materials.
Please Pray
Search-and-rescue operations continue. Scientists believe part of a glacier collapsed to the valley floor of this remote and mountainous region, which caused the equivalent of a 5.2 magnitude earthquake. Such a tremendous landslide pushed a terrifying and deadly wall of water down through the narrow river canyons and beyond for many miles, destroying buildings, homes, bridges, and roads. There are fears of additional flooding in the region.
Please pray for more survivors to be found in the coming hours. Pray for safe access to bring relief in Jesus’ Name alongside our partners. Finally, lift up families around the world who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
